Stretching tong mechanism for hat blocking machines



y 9, 1933. R. G. MULLER 1,907,556

STRETCHING TONG MECHANISM FOR HAT BLOCKING MACHINES Filed Sept. 1, 1951I I INVENTOR fizzdazjv j zzlhr Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED sr RUDOLPH G.MULLER, OF IRVTNGTON, I-IEN JERSEY Application filed. September Thisinvention relates, generally, to, improvements in brim stretching tongsr clamp mechanism for hat blocking and shaping machinery; and theinvention has refer ence, more particularly, to a novel clamp orstretching tong mechanism especially adapted to grip hat brims havingbeaded or double felted marginal edges.

This invention has for its principal object to provide a novel clamp orstretching tong mechanism for both wet and finishing blockers,comprising a seriesof Vertically stationary lower jaws to underlie andsupport the hat brim, in combination with novel movable upper grippingjaws having novel means for actuating the same, whereby a hat brimhaving a beaded or double felted edge may be gripped thereby at pointsin-; wardly of the beaded or doubled edge thereof in such manner as toavoid risk of blemisliing or injuring such edge.

This invention has for a further object to provide, in connection withstretching tong mechanism of the kind and for the purposes mentioned, amovable clamp jaw means having a novel relation to the stationary clampjaw means, whereby a' relative opening movement of considerableamplitude is attainable to assure ample clearance when 39 inserting orremoving a hat having a beaded or doubled'edge.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the same. 7

An illustrativeembodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary verticalsection 49 through portions of a hatblocking machine as equipped with the novel clamp or stretching tongmechanism according to'this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view showing the clamp mechanism inhat brim engaging position,and Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the clamp mechanism released.

Fig. 4c is a fragmentary plan view'showing the side by side relation ofthe novel clamp devices (a plurality of which in prac- 1, 1921. Serialnefseaser.

tice extend entirely around the hat brim);

and Fig. 5 is a-detailpla'n view of somewhat modified form of clampdevice.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above-describedviews, to in dlcate c'orresponding parts; The novel clamp'or stretchingtong mechanism of this invention is designed for use 7 in connectionwith 'hatblocking machinery of the general type andkind exemplified inUnited States Letters Patent to Eickmeyer, No. 167,083, dated August 24,1875,and in the" application for United States'Letters Patent heretoforefiled by me on orabout February 27, 1929, Ser. No. 343,049/25.

Referring to' the accompanying drawing, the reference character 6indicates the bedplate of a hat-blocking machine, through which extendsthe central post or column 7 to the upper free end-of which is fixed ablock supporting plate 8 with which is engaged' one of a number ofdiflerent sizes of interchangeable hat blocks, as 9. The interchangeablehat blocks are usually employed in finishing blockers,but in wetblockers it is quite common practice to useany wellknown formofexpandibleblock (not here shown). v

The hat body 10 to be blocked is engaged over the hatblock 9 as shown,whereupon any suitably supported banding-ring 11 is engagedthereover sothat the'brim 10 of the hat body maybe engaged and stretched relative tothe banding-ring.

Surrounding the hat-body and its brim, when it is thus mounted on theblock, are a plurality of adjustable clamping and stretching tongdevices which areradially disposed side' by side so as to be capable ofgripping the free marginal portions of the brim around the entireperiphery thereof. The said clamping and stretching tong devices areusually pivoted so as to be capableof swinging adjustment toward and:from the hat' block, to thereby accommodate the same to various widths.of hat brims, and each such device is provided witha releasable clampfor releasably gripping the hat brim; Ma nipulatable means is providedfor simultaneously adjusting all thetongs, and also anothermanipulatable means is provided for simultaneously engaging or releasingall the clamp jaws. Heretofore, clamp jaw elements have been so relatedto stationary jaws as to have but a limited direct vertical play ormovement of comparatively small amplitude with respect to hat brimengaging or releasing operation, as the case may be. Such limitedvertical play .or movement is sufficient where the hatbrims are ofuniform thickness throughout and engagement thereof by the clamp meansmay be effected directly at the margin. It has been found, however,thatsuclr arrangement and mode of operation is not practical when thehat brim is provided with a beaded or doubled edge, usually atleast-twice the thickness of the main part of the brim; first, becauseclamping directly upon such beaded or doubled edge tends to so deformand blemish the same as to destroy the hat for commercial purposes, and,second, even though the brim were engaged by the clamps insideof suchbeaded or doubled edge, the extra inward extension of the clamps wouldobstructready insertion and removal of the hat brim, since the amplitudeof vertical play attainable within practical limits is not sufficient topermit displacement of the movable clamp elements far enough to provideadequate clearance. Having these factors in mind, this invention seeksto providean improved construction and arrangement of clamping jawelements which can be manipulated by the usual means heretofore employedfor engaging and releasing the same relative to a hat brim, and whichare not only capable of gripping the hat brim at points within thebeaded or doubled edge thereof, so as to avoid application o-fdeformingpressure upon the latter, but are also capable of a comparativelywideamplitude .of releasing movement whereby, when released, the sameare sufficiently displaced relative to the stationary jaws as to providea degree of clearance that assures avminimum .of inter: ference .orimpedance to theseating or removal of the hat brim relative to thestationary jaws. To these ends the novel clamping and stretching tongmechanism according to this invention comprises the followinconstruction and arrangement of parts ecured to the framework of themachine not shown), in spaced relation to and above the'bed-plate 6, isa horizontally disposed supporting plate 12 having a central openingthrough which the clamping and stretching tongs extend. Secured to saidsupporting plate 12, to extend around the margins of said centralopening, are a plurality of bifurcated fulcrum brackets 13. vPivotallymounted between the arms of each fulcrum bracket 13 is a bell-cranklever lt, having an upwardly extending arm 15 and a downwardly andinwardly extending arm 16. Formed on the upthe releasable I per end ofeach of said arms 15 is an inwardly projecting stationary clamp jaw 17having an oppositely or outwardly projecting or extending heel portion18. Formed in each heel portion 18 is a vertical slideway 19. Fixed onsaid bed-plate 6, to extend upwardly therefrom and around the post orcolumn 7 is a sleeve 20. Vertically slidable on said sleeve 20 is amovable hub 21, formed to provide an annular peripheral channel orsocket 22, in which the free ends of the arms 16 are engaged so asto-beoscillated when said hub is moved up and down. Suitable means (such asordinarily found in hat blocking machines of the kind above referred tobut not here shown) is provided for moving the hub 21 up or down tothereby simultaneously turn the bell-crank levers 14 about theirfnlcrums so as to move the stationary clamp jaws 17 toward or from thehat block to properly dispose the same in suchspaced relation thereto asis desirable to accommodate the same to the width of brim of theparticular hat body mounted on saidhatblock.

Associated with each stationary clamp jaw is a movable or releasableclamp jaw mechanism, the same comprising a vertically movableactuatingbar 23, having its upper end slidably projecting through theslideway 19 of the stationary clamp jaw with which it is operativelyassociated. Pivoally connected with the upper free end of each actuatingbar 23, by means of a fulcrum pin 24 is a movable clamp jaw 25 having adownwardly and inwardly offset toe 25 at its free end, and preferablyhaving a longitudinal opening 26 between its sides through which'sa-idfree end of the ac uating bar 23 projects. Said clamp jaw 25 is providedwith an outwardlyprojecting tail piece 27 terminating in a knuckle 28which bears at its underside on thetop surface of the .heel portion 18of the stationary aw 17 Secured to said heel portion 18 isia clip-piece29 having a finger 30 to overlie the top of said knuckle 28. The space31 provided between said heel portion 18 and said finger30 forms asocket to embrace said knuckle 28. Arranged beneath said supportingplate 12, concentric to said hub 21, is a lift ring 32. Said lift ringis provided with fulcrum pieces 33,

to which are respectively pivoted the. lower ends of said actuating bars23. Suitable means (such as ordinarily found in hat blocking machines ofthe kind above referred to but not here shown) is providedfor raisingand lowering said liftring 32 at will to thereby simultaneously movesaid actuating bars 23 to release or engage the clamp jaws 25, as

the case may be.

In the operation of the novel clamping and stretching tong mechanism,after the hat body 10 has been placed on the hat-bl-ock9 and the bandingring 11 applied thereto,

and the stretching tong mechanism adjusted according to the width of thehat brim 10, the lift ring 32 is raised to slide upwardly the actuatingbars 23. Upward movement of said actuating bars 23 lifts the movableclamp jaws 25, but since the knuckles 28 thereof are restrained againstupward vertical movement by the fingers 30, said clamp jaws are causedto turn on the fulcrum pins 24, whereby the inner gripping ends of thesame are swung upwardy and somewhat outwardly away from the stationaryjaws 17, as shown in Fig. 3, thus giving ample clearance for pressingthe margins of the hat brim 10 past the same and down upon thestationary jaws 17 in seated relation thereto. Said stationary jaws 17are preferably provided with a transverse countersunk channel 17' overwhich a beaded or doubled edge 10 of the hat brim 10 may lie, so thatsuch part of the brim is relieved of any pressure when clamped betweensaid stationary aws 17 and movable jaws 25. When the hat brim 10 isseated upon the stationary jaws 17, the lift ring 32 is lowered to slidedownwardly the actuating bars 23 relative to the stationary jaws.Downward movement of said actuating bars 23 lowers the movable clamp aws25, and since the knuckles 28 thereof are restrained against downwardvertical movement by the h el portion 18, said movable clamp jaws willswing downward about the knuckles 28 as fulcrums, whereby the downwardlyand inwardly off set gripping toes 25 of the jaws 25 will be caused toengage the hat brim 10 inwardly of its beaded or doubled edge 10 so asto clamp the brim 10 between the so moved movable aws 25 and thestationary jaws 17, the bodies of the former straddling or bridging overthe beaded or doubled edge 10 without exerting any deforming pressurethereupon (see Figs. 1 and 2). It will thus be obvious that the hat brim10 is firmly clamped or gripped by the stretching tongs subject tostretching action of the latter when the same are actuated by suitablemovement of the hub 21, while, nevertheless, no risk of crushing,deforming or otherwise injuring the beaded or doubled edge 10 of the hatbrim is entailed.

From the above description it will be apparent that a very practical andeasily manipulated clamping mechanism is provided which is of especialadvantage when operating upon hats having brims with beaded or doubledfelted marginal edge portions, although equally capable of use forengaging and manipulating hat bodies having plain brims of uniformthickness.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the movable clamp jaws 25 are shown providedwith knuckles 28 integrally formed with the tail end of the same, ifdesired, however, this knuckle may be provided in the form of a suitablyjournaled anti-friction'roller, as indicated at 28 in Fig. 5.

I am aware that various changes could be made in the above describedconstructions and many apparently widely difierent embodiments of thisinvention could be made without departing from the scope thereof. It istherefore intended that all matter contained in the above descriptionand shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense. 7 Having described myinvention, I claim 1. Clamping and stretching tongs for hat blockingmachinery, comprising a plurality of brim supporting aws spacedcircumferentially around a hat supporting means, movable clamp jaws tocooperate with said supporting jaws, said clamp'jaws having downwardlyoffset gripping toes at their inner ends and fulcruming knuckles attheir'outer ends, said supporting jaws having socket means to engagesaid fulcruming knuckles, actuating bars vertically slidable relative tosaid supporting jaws and to which said clamp jaws are pivot-allyconnected, and means to simultaneously actuate said clamp jaws throughsaid actuating bars.

' 2. Clamping and stretching tongs for a hat blocking machine,comprising a plurality of radially movable brim supporting jawscircumferentially spaced about the hat sup porting means of the machine,said jaws having outwardly extending heel portions provided withvertical slideways therethrough, movable clamp jaws to cooperate withsaid supporting jaws, said clamp jaws having fulcruming knuckles bearingupon said heel portions of said supporting jaws, means to retain saidfulcruming knuckles against vertical movement, actuating bars verticallymovable through said slideways of said supporting jaws, means topivotally connect said clamp jaws with said actuating bars, and means tosimultaneously actuate said clamp aws through said actuating bars.

3. Clamping and stretching tongs for a hat blocking machine, comprisinga plurality of radially movable brim supporting jaws circumferentiallyspaced about the hat supporting means of the machine, said jaws havingoutwardly extending heel portions provided with vertical slidewaystherethrough, movable clamp jaws to cooperate with said supporting jaws,said clamp jaws having fulcruming knuckles bearing upon said heelportions of said supporting jaws, means to retain said fulcrum knucklesagainst vertical movement, actuating bars vertically movable throughsaid slideways of said support ing jaws, means to pivotally connect saidclamp jaws with said actuating bars, said clam jaws having downwardlyoffset gripping toes at their inner ends, and said supporting jawshaving transverse countersunk relief channels Ofiset relative to thepoint of engagement of said gripping toes with said supporting jaws, andmeans to simultaneously actuate said clamp jaws through said actuatingbars.

4. In a hat blocking machine having means to support a hat body,clamping and stretching tongs engageablewith beaded edge brim portionsof the supported hat body comprising, a plurality of bell-crank leverspivoted in radial arrangement about said sup porting means, brimsupporting jaws carried by the upper arms of said levers, saidsupporting jaws having outwardly extending heel portions provided withvertical slideways therethrough, movable clamp jaws to cooperate withsaid supporting jaws, said clamp jaws having fulcruming knuckles bearingupon said heel portions of said supporting jaws, means to retain saidknuckles against vertical movement, actuating bars vertically movablethrough said slideways of said supporting jaws, means to pivotallyconnect said clamp jaws with said actuating bars, said clamp jaws havingdownwardly ofl'set gripping toes at their inner ends whereby when closedupon a hat brim having a beaded edge portion the latter will be cleared,means for simultaneously turning said bell-crank levers on their pivotsfor adjusting and stretching movements of the tongs, and means tosimultaneously move said actuating bars for closing or opening saidmovable jaws.

5. Devices of the kind described as defined in claim 4, wherein saidbrim supporting jaws are provided with transverse countersunk reliefchannels to underlie the beaded. edge of a hat brim operatively relatedto said aws.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 20th day of August 1931.

RUDOLPH G. MULLER.

